Support IADL's Fight for Columbus Statue in Landmark Case!

On October 25 Italian-American Defense League (IADL) filed an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit against Mayor Justin Elicker and the city of New Haven for the unlawful removal of the Italian American community's statue of Christopher Columbus. Most unsettling was Mayor Elicker's closed door meetings, no meeting notes, and no record of an official vote to remove the statue from its base. Italian Americans were silenced by the mayor, history buried and the wishes of our ancestors ignored.

The mayor’s disregard for historical preservation and cultural heritage is a violation of federal law, including historic preservation acts and due process, which allows us to request a finding that could set new case law for future monument cases.

The legal concept of "standing" is being used as a weapon by Mayor Elicker to silence Italian Americans. We will argue that the U.S. District Court of Connecticut's motion to grant our case's dismissal is in error based on our standing.

If we’re afforded that designation by the court, it would create a sweeping legal precedent that would save Columbus and historical monuments across the nation.

100% of your donation will fund this legal and preservation effort, which is being spearheaded by New Haven attorney and litigator Norman Pattis, IADL President Matthew Guarnieri, and Plaintiff Ralph Marcarelli.

This is a landmark legal fight we can win — together.

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Make checks payable to:

Italian-American Defense League

23 Lochbourne Drive

Clinton, CT 06413

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